Jaybird Freedom F5HEADPHONES REVIEW

What it is:
This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

What it is:
The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

What it is:
How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

What it is:
How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

The Jaybird Freedom are great sports headphones that have a more streamlined design than the X2 and X3. They're sufficiently stable for most workout routines and have a decent sound quality. They also block a lot of ambient noise passively and barely leak so you can play your music at higher volumes and not distract anyone around you. Unfortunately, the bulky charging clip is inconvenient and makes the headphones a bit unstable for running when attached.

Update 2/16/2018:
Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
Update 9/28/2017:
The microphone has been tested with our new methodology, as explained hereUpdate 8/10/2017:
Converted to Test Bench 1.1. Learn more about our new versioned test bench system here.

Design

The Jaybird Freedom Wireless are stable headphones for sports. The earbuds are considerably smaller and more portable than the other Jaybird models. They're also lighter despite having a thicker inline remote. However, the controls are not as responsive as that of the X3, and the charging clip is quite large and heavy. It sways a lot if you leave it connected to the remote, which is not ideal for running and working out.

Style

The Jaybird F5 have a sleeker form factor than the older Jaybird models. The earbuds are smaller and thinner than that of the X3 or X2 since a lot of the electronics was redistributed to the inline remote. Unfortunately, this also makes the in-line remote significantly thicker than the other Jaybird headphones. Overall though they have an understated look that will work for most but also come in brighter color schemes to suit your tastes and preferences.

7.0Comfort

What it is:
Adjustability and degrees of freedom, pressure, stiffness and weight.

When it matters:
When the headphones are going to be used for long durations.

What it is:
The force that the headphones exert on your head, once you have them on. This is purely a measurement of the force applied, which does not take into account the earpad's surface area and the resulting pressure you will feel, on or around your ears.

When it matters:
The tighter the headphones, the more force they put on your head. This can get uncomfortable or cause pain and soreness during long listening sessions.

The Jaybird Freedom are very lightweight in-ear headphones that come with multiple tip sizes to help you find a good fit. They also include foam tips in the box that are a bit more comfortable than the regular silicone tips. However, finding the right fit can take some time and they get a bit tiring after wearing them for a while. If you don't like the fit of in-ears, then some of the same issues will be present with these ones.

The Jaybird Freedom's control scheme is efficient and straightforward. They provide the essential functions; call/music, track skipping, and volume controls. The inline remote is not as wide or as responsive as that of the Jaybird X3, but it's simple and easy-to-use.

The Jaybird F5 very breathable headphones. The earbuds are smaller than most in-ears and barely make contact with any part of your ear except when the stability fins are attached. However, even with the stability fins on, they do not cause a big difference in temperature. They trap a little heat within the ear canal but it's negligible and should not make you sweat more than average, which is good for sports.

The Jaybird Freedom F5 are one of most portable Jaybird headphones that we've tested so far. Their earbud design is much thinner than the X3 or the X2, but they have a slightly thicker in-line remote. Unfortunately, if you include the charging accessory, they become less portable, but you most likely won't keep the charging dongle docked when using the headphones.

These headphones come with a carrying pouch that will protect the headphones from scratches and minor water exposure. However, unlike the X2, it's not a solid case, so it won't shield your headphones against impacts or drops. On the upside, this pouch doesn't add much bulk to the headphones, which makes it easy to carry on you at all times.

The Jaybird Freedom are well-built and decently sturdy headphones. The earbuds are lightweight and made of a tough plastic that won't easily break even after multiple drops. However the inline remote feels a bit cheap, and the cable is not as durable as that of the X2 or the X3. Also, some users have experienced issues with the sweat-resistant design when the charging clip is connected. This means they're more likely to get damaged if used while charging.

These headphones are quite stable. They're lightweight, wireless and don't move much once in your ear, provided you get the right fit. This makes them suitable headphones to use at the gym, especially if you use both the foam and wingtips. You can also use the cable management units in the box and make the cable pass behind your ears to further increase their stability if needed.

The Jaybird Freedom are decent sounding closed-back in-ears with a sound nearly identical to that of the X3 and Run. With a proper fit, they can deliver a consistent and extended bass, an excellent mid-range, and a well-balanced treble. This makes them suitable for a wide variety of genres from EDM and hip-hop, to rock and jazz. However, they tend to sound a bit boomy in the bass range and vocals could sound a bit cluttered and recessed in their mid-range. Also, like most other closed-back in-ears, their soundstage tends to be small and perceived as located inside the listener's head.

8.7Bass

What it is:
Frequency Response from 20Hz-250Hz

When it matters:
When the material is heavy on bass frequencies, such as those of kick drums and bass guitar.

The bass of the Jaybird Freedom is very good. LFE (low-frequency extension) is at 10Hz, which is great for bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. Low-bass and mid-bass are also virtually flat, indicating a good balance between thump and punch for the bass and kick instruments. The overemphasis in high-bass, however, will be noticeable as it will make the bass sound a bit boomy.

What it is:
The average amount of over/under-emphasis in frequency response from 250Hz-500Hz.

When it matters:
Most instruments have their fundamentals or low harmonics in this range. Over-emphasis in this range sounds muddy and cluttered. Under-emphasis, thins out the vocals and lead instruments.

Very good mid-range. The bump in low-mid, which is the continuation of the high-bass overemphasis, makes the vocals a bit thick and mixes a bit cluttered. The dip surrounding 800Hz will push the vocals/leads to the back of the mix. However, at about 3dB, these effects will be subtle.

What it is:
The average amount of over/under-emphasis in frequency response from 2KHz-5KHz.

When it matters:
Almost all instruments rely on this range for their presence, detail, and articulation. Over-emphasis can sound harsh and painful. Under-emphasis hurts the comprehensibility of vocals and lead instruments.

What it is:
The average amount of over/under emphasis in frequency response from 5KHz-10KHz.

When it matters:
This is the sibilance range. Cymbals, vocals, and lead instruments rely on this range for brightness and presence. Over-emphasis sounds piercing and painful, under-emphasis sounds dull and lispy.

The treble is very good. Low-Treble is a bit inconsistent. The dip surrounding 5KHz hurts the clarity and detail of vocals/leads slightly. They also show a bit of a bump in the sibilance range, but not as bad as the X3 or the Run. However, this could be within the margin of variance for our test unit, and the one you buy may match the X3 and the Run perfectly.

What it is:
The average uncompensated frequency response of the headphone. For in-ears and earbuds, this corresponds to the average of 5 measurements/re-seats on the dummy head (HMS). For over/on-ear headphones, this corresponds to the average of 5 measurements/re-seats on the HMS (Head Measurement System) for the mid and treble ranges, and 5 measurements/re-seats on 5 human subjects for the bass range.

When it matters:
This is for those who want to see the raw and uncompensated frequency response of the headphone. Some of the more advanced users, are able to read and evaluate headphone frequency response in its raw form and without compensation. This will be especially useful to them if they have their own headphone compensation/target curve, which may differ from the compensation curve/target response used by RTINGS.com.

The bass and treble delivery of the Jaybird F5 is very consistent. However, this is assuming the user is able to achieve an air-tight fit and seal using the assortment of the tips that come with the headphones. But, if a proper seal is not achieved, there could be a big drop in the amount of bass that is generated by these in-ears.

What it is:
Imaging qualities are inherent to the audio content, the headphones have to 'reproduce' them rather than 'create' them. They determine how accurately the objects are positioned in the stereo image, and how transparent the imaging is.

When it matters:
When accurate positioning of the objects in the stereo image, and clear and transparent imaging is desired.

What it is:
The average amount of group delay calculated based on a perceptual weighting filter. Group delay indicates how long it takes for each frequency to reach their maximum amplitude. This is a monaural quality and can be perceived even with one ear.

When it matters:
Headphones with lower group delay have more transparent imaging and a tighter bass. Headphones with higher group delay in the bass range tend to have a wimpy and loose bass, and headphones with higher group delay in the treble range tend to have a less transparent imaging.

What it is:
The Left/Right balance of our test unit, that is, the amount of amplitude difference between the left and right drivers. This is not a design test, but a marker for manufacturing tolerance and ergonomics.

When it matters:
When a properly balanced stereo image and low manufacturing tolerance is desired. A poor score indicates a noticeable difference in level between the left and right drivers.

What it is:
The amount of difference (Std. Err.) between the frequency response of the left and right drivers of our test unit. This is not a design test, but a marker for manufacturing tolerance and ergonomics.

When it matters:
When an even and stable stereo image, as well as a low manufacturing tolerance, is desired. A poor score indicates there may be 'holes' in the stereo image at certain frequencies.

What it is:
The amount of difference (Std. Err.) between the phase response of the left and right drivers of our test unit. This is not a design test, but a marker for manufacturing tolerance and ergonomics.

When it matters:
When an even and stable stereo image, as well as a low manufacturing tolerance is desired. A poor score indicates there may be inaccuracies in the stereo image reproduction at certain frequencies.

The stereo imaging is great. Their weighted group delay is at 0.11, which is among the lowest we have measured. The group delay graph also shows that the entire response is well below our audibility threshold. This ensures a tight bass and a transparent treble reproduction. Also, the L/R drivers of our test unit were decently matched. This is important for accurate placement and localization of objects, such as footsteps and instruments, in the stereo field.

What it is:
Soundstage qualities are not inherent to the audio content, the headphones have to 'create' them rather than 'reproduce' them. They determine whether the sound is perceived to be coming from inside or in front of the head, how open and spacious the soundstage is, how much the headphones acoustically interact with the environment, and how strong the phantom center is.

When it matters:
When an accurately produced, large and spacious soundstage, similar to that of a stereo loudspeaker setup is desired.

What it is:
The standard deviation of the PRTF (Pinna-related transfer function) of the headphones compared to a reference loudspeaker's PRTF at 30°. This quality is monaural and can be perceived even with one ear. This test does not apply to in-ears and earbuds, due to the lack of pinna interaction.

When it matters:
An accurate pinna activation is mainly responsible for how natural and speaker-like the soundstage is perceived to be. The less error in the shape of the PRTF, the more natrual and speaker-like the perception of the soundstage will be. High amounts of error may indicate a soundstage that is unnatural or odd.

What it is:
The average amplitude of the PRTF (Pinna-related transfer function) of the headphones compared to that of a reference loudspeaker's PRTF at 30°. This quality is monaural and can be perceived even with one ear. This test does not apply to in-ears and earbuds, due to the lack of pinna interaction.

When it matters:
This value is responsible for the perceived size of the soundstage. The higher the value, the larger the perceived size of the soundstage. However, values above the reference (5.0dB) could result in a soundstage that is perceived as unnatural or odd.

What it is:
The depth of the "10KHz notch" of the headphone's PRTF, which is caused by phase cancellations at the concha. This quality is monaural and can be perceived even with one ear. This test does not apply to in-ears and earbuds, due to the lack of pinna interaction.

When it matters:
This value is mainly responsible for the perceived distance and elevation of the soundstage. A small distance value may result in a soundstage that is perceived to be located inside the head. Larger values may help pull the soundstage out from inside of the head and bring it to the front.

What it is:
How open the headphones are, and how open and spacious they sound. This quality is monaural and can be perceived even with one ear. This test differentiates between acoustically and electronically produced crosstalk and only takes the acoustically generated crosstalk into account. This value is the inverse of the Noise Isolation test score, and could be indirectly related the acoustic impedance of the headphones.

When it matters:
When a headphone with a sense of an open, and spacious soundstage is desired. A value of 10 indicates a fully open headphone, and a value of 0 indicates a fully closed headphone.

What it is:
How loud the headphones are, and how much they excite their environment acoustically. If the headphones are loud and open enough, the sound leaking from the headphones will be affected by the environment (reflections/reverb) before reflecting back into the open headphones and to the listener's ears. This quality is monaural and can be perceived even with one ear. This value is the inverse of the Leakage test score.

When it matters:
Headphones with higher excitation values, similar to openness, tend to have soundstages that are perceived as more open and spacious.

What it is:
How strong and solid the phantom center is. This is mostly a stereo quality and its effects on mono content are minimal. This test is sensitive to the phase of the crosstalk and whether it is produced acoustically or electronically.

When it matters:
When a true reproduction of the stereo image is desired. A value of 0 indicates no crosstalk, or that the existing crosstalk is not correlated enough to affect the phantom center. A negative score means the crosstalk is out of phase with the original signal, resulting in a slightly wider stereo image at the expense of creating a 'hole' at the center of the stereo field. A positive score means the crosstalk is in phase and positively affecting the phantom center.

The soundstage of the Jaybird Freedom, like most other in-ears, is poor. This is because to create a large and out-of-head soundstage, the headphones need to activate the resonances of the pinna (outer ear). However, since in-ears bypass the pinna and are inserted directly in the ear-canal, their soundstage will be perceived as small and located inside the listener's head. Also, because of the high isolation, these in-ears won't sound as open and spacious as open earbuds such as the Apple AirPods, Google Pixel Buds, and Bose SoundSport Free.

The harmonic distortion performance is average. The overall amount of harmonic distortion is slightly elevated, especially above 1KHz. On the plus side, they seem to be handling higher volumes well, since the rise in distortion at higher volumes is within good limits. This suggests that they may be able to take a good amount of EQ boost in the bass range before distorting.

Isolation

The Jaybird Freedom Wireless passively isolate better than some active noise canceling headphones. They block enough ambient noise to be a good option to use in loud environments. This makes them suitable for commuting and traveling. They also barely leak so even if you listen to your audio at higher-than-average volumes, you will not distract the people around you.

7.5Noise Isolation

What it is:
How much outside noise is blocked out by putting the headphones on.

When it matters:
If the headphones are going to be used in a noisy envinronment (airplane, subway, etc.)

What it is:
The simulated noise isolation of the headphones, demonstrating how much outside noise is blocked out by putting the headphones on. This recording is created using an EQ and is not an actual recording. For headphones with ANC (active noise cancellation), the playback simulates the isolation with ANC enabled.

When it matters:
When the headphones are going to be used in a noisy envinronment (airplane, subway, etc.)

The Jaybird F5 provide a good passive isolation. In the bass range, where the rumble of airplane and bus engines sit, they achieve about 8dB of isolation similar to the X3, Run, and BeatsX. Although this is below-average, it is still quite impressive for a passive in-ear. In the mid range, which is important for isolating speech, these in-ears are able to achieve a good 18dB of isolation. In the treble range, which is occupied by sharp S and T sounds, they attenuate outside noise by 40dB, which is excellent.

The leakage performance is excellent. These in-ears do not leak below 1KHz, which is great. The significant portion of the leakage is around 3KHz, which is very narrow range. The level of the leakage is very low too. Overall, the leakage of these headphones won't be noticeable to people around you, unless you are blasting your music and are in a very quiet environment. And even in that situation, the sound leaking out the headphones will be very thin.

Microphone

What it is:
The microphone section shows the quality of speech capture and transmission by the mic, as well as how well the microphone under test handles noisy environments.

When it matters:
For your speech to be transmitted to and understood properly by the listener, the microphone needs to have a good recording quality. If the environment the microphone is being used in is noisy, a microphone with a good noise handling performance would be needed as well.

What it is:
The microphone integrated in the ear cup or ear bud of a wireless headphone.

When it matters:
For calls, gaming and voice over IP software or for any other use of the microphone.

Good value:
Yes

:
Yes

In-line

What it is:
The microphone inside the in-line remote of audio cables for wired and wireless headsets.

When it matters:
In-line microphone are usually better than integrated mics. If you need better recording quality and noise handling for calls, gaming and voice over IP software then use the audio cable of your wired or wireless headphone if it has an inline microphone.

Good value:
Yes

:
No

Boom

What it is:
A typically better microphone, that's also adjustable and extends so that the mic is closer to your mouth.

When it matters:
Much better recording quality and noise handling than in-line or integrated mics. Primarily used for gaming and voice over IP software.

Good value:
Yes

:
No

Detachable Boom

What it is:
A boom mic that is detachable from the headset.

When it matters:
If you want to use your headphone outdoors without the bulk and hassle of the Boom mic.

:
N/A

The performance of the Jaybird Freedom's integrated microphone is mediocre. Voice recorded/transmitted with their mic will sound noticeably thin and muffled. However, speech would still be easily understandable in quiet environments. In noisy situations however, they to struggle to separate speech from ambient noise, even in moderately loud environments such as a busy street.

6.4Recording Quality

What it is:
Microphone recording quality shows how natural, neutral, extended and intelligible speech would be with the device under test, in a quiet environment.

When it matters:
A microphone with a good recording quality ensures that the person listening to you would hear a full, clear, and easily understandable speech. Therefore, it is important whenever a good quality of speech transmission and intelligibility is needed.

What it is:
Low-frequency extension shows how deep the bass response of the microphone is, and therefore, how deep and full your voice would sound to the listener. It is the lowest frequency at which the frequency response reaches -3dB of the target response.

When it matters:
LFE is not a big factor in speech intelligibility and even speech recorded with a mic that has an LFE of 500Hz could still be easily understood. Therefore, it is mostly important if you are concerned with how deep and full your voice would be heard.

What it is:
Frequency Response Standard Deviation shows how accurately and balanced sound is captured by the microphone at each frequency. FR Std. Dev. is calculated between LFE and HFE, and the rest of the spectrum is ignored.

When it matters:
A good frequency response is desired when a natural and neutral speech quality is desired. As opposed to HFE which is more a metric for speech intelligibility, frequency response could be considered as a metric for a natural and neutral sound.

What it is:
High-frequency extension is the highest frequency at which the frequency response reaches -3dB of the target response. It shows how extended the treble response of the microphone is.

When it matters:
HFE is one the most important factors in speech intelligibility. The higher the HFE, the brighter, more open, and more extended the speech quality will be which makes it a lot easier to understand by the listener.

What it is:
Shows how much louder the microphone can go above our reference loudness level. The gain value is reported relative to our reference level, which is 94dB at a distance of 5cm from the mouth.

When it matters:
A microphone with a high gain is important when the input signal (speech) is very quiet. For example when whispering, or talking on the phone in a library.

The recording quality of the mic is mediocre. The LFE (low-frequency extension) of 330Hz indicates a voice that sounds thin. The HFE (high-frequency extension) of 3.5KHz results in a speech that is noticeably muffled and lacking presence. However, this doesn't have a big negative effect on the speech intelligibility, since that is mostly dependent on the 500Hz-3KHz range.

What it is:
Speech to Noise Ratio is the difference in level between speech and background noise as heard by the listener

When it matters:
If the microphone is going to be used in a noisy environment, it is important for it to be able to separate the speech from background noise, so the voice would be easily audible and understandable.

The mic is mediocre at noise handling. In our test, they achieved a speech-to-noise ratio of 15dB, which is below average. This suggests that they are best suited for quiet environments and may struggle in moderate and loud places.

Active Features

What it is:
Headphones with active components that require a battery. This includes noise cancelling and wireless headphones that actively reduce noise or transmit audio via a wireless connection.

When it matters:
How suitable the power and wireless specifications of an active headphone will be, depending on your listening habits. The range and/or discharge time of the active headphone you select will be important if you're often on the move or have long uninterrupted listening sessions.

The Jaybird Freedom have a slightly short battery life, but on the upside, they don't take long to charge. The charging clip also provides an additional 4 hours of power, and you can use them while they're charging. This would be convenient if the bulky charging clip didn't reduce their stability. On the other hand, the MySound app provides a great parametric equalizer and community-oriented experience. It's lacking a few features but overall it's an above-average app that lets you personalize your jaybirds to sound the way you want.

6.5Battery

What it is:
The power source of your headphones. All headphones with active features have a battery that will deplete over time.

When it matters:
To continue using the active features of your headphones. Some models lose features or switch off completely when the battery is drained, which limits what you can do with them until the next charge.

What it is:
The type of battery that the headphones use. Usually AAA or embedded, Li-ion rechargeable batteries.

When it matters:
When your headphones run out of power. Rechargeable batteries usually charge via the headphones Micro-USB port whereas AAA batteries have to be replaced or charged with an external device.

What it is:
Some active headphones remain usable while charging. They continue to stream audio and do not disable other active features.

When it matters:
This makes sure that your headphones's battery are not being drained when your relatively close to a power source. However, this means wireless headphones will need a wired connection to the power source during the charging process.

The battery life of the Jaybird F5 is just above 4 hours. They also charge relatively fast, 20 mins of charging giving you up to 1 hours of listening. Charging clip also adds another 4 hours to the battery life which makes the battery performance slightly better than that of the X3 as long as you don't mind having the somewhat bulky dongle dangling from the inline remote. On the upside, you can charge them with the charging clip while using them although they will briefly shut off for safety purposes. If the charging clip system is a deal breaker for you then maybe consider the Anker Soundcore Spirit X or Aukey Latitude for their longer continuous battery life and easy to use microUSB port.

What it is:
The additional app provided to enhance your listening experience. They typically deliver a set of practical features that give you more control over the sound, noise cancelling and effects that the headphones produce.

When it matters:
An app with a lot of features allows you to customize your listening experience to suit your taste and preferences. For example, additions like an equalizer can give you more bass or treble and room effects can simulate a bigger Soundstage in closed back headphones.

Jaybird MySound is a community-oriented app that lets you share presets for the Freedom and the X3. It also has an excellent parametric equalizer. While they lack some additional features like room effects and an in-app player, the app feels useful and allows you to personalize your sound profile to better match your tastes and mood.

The Jaybird Freedom Wireless have a good wireless range, but can be slightly laggy when watching videos due to their relatively high latency. They also do not support NFC, or any low latency codecs, which is not ideal. On the upside pairing with most Bluetooth devices is fairly easy.

6.8Bluetooth

What it is:
Bluetooth support for wireless headphones.

When it matters:
To connect wirelessly to Bluetooth sources like your phone, tablet, console, PC and TV.

Score components:

80%
Multi-Device Pairing

20%
NFC

<1%
PS4 Compatible

<1%
Xbox One Compatible

Score distribution:

Bluetooth Version
:
4.1

Multi-Device Pairing

What it is:
A Bluetooth profile that allows some headphones to be simultaneously connected to multiple Bluetooth sources, and have full call and media support on both/all devices they are connected to.

When it matters:
To quickly switch between your Bluetooth sources. For example, switching from your phone to your home or work PC and still have call and media support on both devices.

Good value:
2 devices.

:
2 Devices

NFC

What it is:
Near Field Communication technology that allows you to quickly, pair your headphones with your Bluetooth and NFC-enabled device.

When it matters:
This makes pairing with an NFC-enabled device a lot easier than the typical and often tedious hold-to-pair procedure that most wireless headphones have.

Good value:
Yes

:
No

PS4 Compatible

What it is:
Bluetooth compatibility with the PlayStation 4.

When it matters:
To connect your headphones wirelessly with your PS4.

Good value:
Audio + Microphone

:
No

Xbox One Compatible

What it is:
Bluetooth compatibility with the Xbox One.

When it matters:
To connect your headphones wirelessly with your Xbox one.

Good value:
Audio + Microphone

:
No

These headphones do not support NFC but they're fairly easy to pair with most Bluetooth devices and have multi-point pairing so you can easily switch between Bluetooth sources once paired.

0Wired

What it is:
The type and compatibility of audio cables for wired and wireless headphones.

When it matters:
For all devices with a regular audio jack (line-out) and also compatibility of the in-line remote/boom microphone with consoles and Personal computers.

Score components:

13%
Analog

9%
USB

26%
PS4 Compatible

26%
Xbox One Compatible

26%
PC Compatible

Score distribution:

Cable Tested
:
N/A

Analog

What it is:
A regular 1/8" TRS audio jack or a 1/4 or 1/16 TRS with a 1/8 TRS adapter.

When it matters:
For all devices with a line out.

Good value:
Yes

:
N/A

USB

What it is:
A USB or USB adapter to connect to your devices for audio and microphone.

When it matters:
A digital USB adapter usually offers a slight advantages over a regular audio jack, like a DAC, and amplifier module or software support and compatibility with PCs. However it may not be as compatible with consoles.

Good value:
Yes

:
N/A

PS4 Compatible

What it is:
PS4 compatibility with a regular 3 or 4 pin 1/8 TRS audio cable.

When it matters:
When you want to use a wired headphone with your PS4

Good value:
Audio + Microphone

:
N/A

Xbox One Compatible

What it is:
Xbox One compatibility with a regular 3 or 4 pin 1/8 TRS audio cable.

When it matters:
When you want to use a wired headphone with your Xbox One

Good value:
Audio + Microphone

:
N/A

PC Compatible

What it is:
PC compatibility with a regular 3 or 4 pin 1/8 TRS audio cable.

What it is:
The base station, dock or dongle transmitter of wireless headphones that receive data/audio via a proprietary frequency range.

When it matters:
Knowing the inputs and outputs of the base/dock/dongle as well as its compatibility with consoles and Personal Computers. Also whether the base supports dock charging to easily recharge the headphones without any cables.

Score components:

5%
Optical Input

22%
Line In

5%
Line Out

22%
USB Input

4%
RCA Input

9%
PS4 Compatible

9%
Xbox One Compatible

9%
PC Compatible

2%
Power Supply

13%
Dock Charging

Score distribution:

Wireless Type

What it is:
The type of wireless connection used by the base station/dock to communicate with the headphones.

When it matters:
For latency and range. For example Radio frequency has low latency but mediocre range when obstructed and proprietary docks have their own 2.x GHz or 5 GHz frequency which varies in performance.

:
N/A

Optical Input

What it is:
Optical input for audio.

When it matters:
Optical can carry a bit more data at faster speeds than typical wired connection which allows for more high quality, lossless audio.

Good value:
Yes

:
N/A

Line In

What it is:
The regular wired input via a 1/8" TRS audio jack.

When it matters:
For any device that has a line out for audio transmission.

Good value:
Yes

:
N/A

Line Out

What it is:
A regular 1/8TRS audio jack output.

When it matters:
If you need to share the audio source with other devices. A line out lets you connect other headphones or speakers to the dock/base station.

Good value:
Yes

:
N/A

USB Input

What it is:
A digital USB input instead of a typical 1/8 TRS line-in.

When it matters:
A USB connection can provide both an audio input and power to the Dock or Base station.

:
N/A

RCA Input

What it is:
Audio input using via an RCA connectors.

When it matters:
Provides better stereo audio to the dock/base that's then transmitted to the headphones.

Good value:
Yes

:
N/A

PS4 Compatible

What it is:
Dock/Base station compatibility with the PlayStation 4.

When it matters:
To be able to use all the features of the dock/base station with out losing audio or microphone capability.

Good value:
Audio + Microphone

:
N/A

Xbox One Compatible

What it is:
Dock/Base station compatibility with the Xbox One.

When it matters:
To be able to use all the features of the dock/base station with out losing audio or microphone capability.

:
N/A

PC Compatible

What it is:
Dock/Base station compatibility with your Personal Computer.

When it matters:
To be able to use all the features of the dock/base station with out losing audio or microphone capability.

Good value:
Audio + Microphone

:
N/A

Power Supply

What it is:
The connector type of the power source.

When it matters:
The accessibility of the power source. For example a power supply with USB/USB-C connects to multiple devices, PC , PS4, Xbox One or even with your regular phone charger whereas a A/C adapter is less common.

Good value:
USB/USB-C

:
N/A

Dock Charging

What it is:
Charging the headphones via the dock/base station instead of a charging cable.

When it matters:
It makes charging your headphones easier and gives you a sport to store your headphones when they are not in use.

Good value:
Yes

:
N/A

These headphones do not have a dock. If you want a headphone that's versatile and has a dock, try the SteelSeries Arctis 7. However, they won't be as portable or as suitable for sports as the Jaybird F5.

8.2Wireless Range

What it is:
Headphones that offer a cable-free listening experience over a wireless network, typically via Bluetooth or radio frequency.

When it matters:
If you don't want to be limited by the length of an audio cable. This means having the freedom to move around in your home or office with a much greater range than an audio cable could provide, especially, if the Bluetooth source is heavy or difficult to carry. Note that wireless range also depends on your Bluetooth sources' signal strength which may vary from device to device or depending on your phone model.

What it is:
The range that the wireless headphones can reach before dropping any audio when the Bluetooth source was placed in another room. We test our obstructed range with a Moto E4 Plus. Results may vary depending on your phone model or Bluetooth source.

When it matters:
If you can't or prefer not to carry your Bluetooth source on you, while listening to your audio in an indoor environment. Although, the obstructed wireless range will slightly depend on your home or office layout. Note that wireless range also depends on your Bluetooth sources' signal strength which may vary from device to device or depending on your phone model.

The Jaybird Freedom have a good wireless range. They reached just above 35 ft when we measured their obstructed range by leaving the Bluetooth source in another room. They also have an excellent range in direct line of sight for a compact in-ear headphone.

3.0Latency

What it is:
How long it takes for audio to play through your headphones once the audio signal has been sent from a source.

When it matters:
When gaming or watching movies. High latency means you will hear the audio much later than the images you see on screen.

The Jaybird Freedom have quite a bit of latency which will be noticeable when watching videos. It's not more than most typical Bluetooth headphones but it won't be ideal for gaming and watching movies.

In the box

Jaybird Freedom Headphones

Earbud tips (x6 sizes)

Stability tips (x4 sizes)

USB charging cable

Carrying pouch

Compared to other Headphones

The Jaybird Freedom Wireless are a more lightweight and portable version of the Jaybird design. They're great sports headphones and also have a good customizable app. However, their battery performance and charging clip could and should have been improved. See our recommendations for the best noise cancelling earbuds and the best wireless earbuds for iPhone.

The Jaybird Freedom are a slightly better sports headset than the Jaybird X3, although not by much. The Jaybird Freedom have a slightly smaller and more compact in-ear format that's easier to carry around when the charging clip is not attached. The Freedoms are also a bit more comfortable, breathable and have a slightly better treble range on their default sound profile. On the other hand, the X3 are better built have a longer battery life that does not require a bulky charging clip, and they're slightly easier to use with a better in-line remote. Their build quality also feels a lot more premium than that of the Freedoms.

The Jaybird Freedom 2 are very close in performance to the Jaybird Freedom (F5). They have the same overall design and build quality. The Freedom 2 have a slightly more comfortable earbud-like fit than the originals, they also have better cable management. On the upside, the regular Freedoms have a slightly better sound quality out-of-the-box and a more isolating in-ear fit, although both headphones can be easily EQed with the MySound app. They also both come with the same bulky charging clip that's a bit limiting and will prevent you from being to charge your headphones if lost or damaged.

The Jaybird X2 are a slightly better wireless headset overall than the Jaybird Freedom. The X2 have a much simpler charging port on the back of the right earbud, so you do not need to carry around a bulky charging clip like with the Jaybird Freedoms. The X2 also have a longer battery life, lower latency, and a slightly better-balanced default sound but can't be EQ'd. The Freedoms, on the other hand, have a more portable design (when not using the charging clip) and smaller earbuds that are a bit more comfortable than the X2. They also benefit from great app support so you can customize their sound quality to better match what you are listening to.

The Jaybird Freedom are slightly better sports headphone than the Bose SoundSport Free mostly due to their isolating in-ear fit which might not be as important for outdoor runners. The Bose have a more comfortable earbud fit with a semi-open design that's a bit better suited for running outdoors but won't be as good for blocking noise in louder environments. They SoundSport also have a much better sound quality than the Freedoms with a longer continuous playback time but a shorter battery life overall. The Freedoms, on the other hand, have a better isolation performance for noisy and quieter conditions. They also have easier to use controls and slightly longer battery life overall thanks to their charging clip. You can also customize their sound profile with their app which you can't with the Bose.

The Beats X are about as practical as the Jaybird Freedom for most use cases. The Beats have a better-balanced sound quality but no EQ. They also have a more durable build quality, a faster-charging battery life, and a much better wireless range and latency performance than the Jaybirds, especially when using them with iOS devices. On the other hand, the Jaybirds have a customizable sound quality and aren't as limited on Android as the Beats X which makes them slightly more suitable for a wider selection of listeners. The Jaybirds also have a longer battery life overall thanks to the additional 4 hours provided by the charging clip and their smaller earbuds are slightly more comfortable to wear for most listeners.

The Jaybird Freedom are much better headphones overall than the JBL E25BT. The Freedoms have more customization options, they're more comfortable and more suitable for sports thanks to their multiple tips and stability fins. The Jaybird also have better build quality than the JBLs. On the upside, the E25BT can pair with two devices simultaneously, so you can quickly switch between your phone and tablet. They also have a longer battery continuous battery life than the Jaybird Freedom and do not need a cumbersome charging clip.

They Aukey Latitude and Jaybird Freedom are very similar headphones. The Aukeys have slightly better isolation performance, better battery life, and better wireless range. However, the Jaybird are compatible with the MySound app that lets you EQ the sound of the headphones to your preference. If you’re looking for sports headphones and don’t need long battery life, the Freedom might be a better choice for their customization options, but they are more expensive.

The Apple AirPods are truly wireless headphones with a decent sound and good active features. However, they're more optimized for iOS so they won't be as good as the Freedoms for Android users and they're also not as stable due to their one-size-fits-all design.

Conclusion

What it is:
This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

The Jaybird Freedom's are decent headphones for everyday casual use. They have a sleek wireless design that's stable enough for working out and to use on your daily commute thanks to their high, passive noise isolation. Unfortunately, they're not as sturdy as the other Jaybird models and they have a relatively short battery life since using them with the charging clip makes them a bit unstable.

6.9Critical Listening

What it is:
The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

Average for critical listening. They have a decent audio reproduction with a good bass, mid and treble response. However, due to their closed in-ear design, they have a poor soundstage which won't be ideal for more critical listeners. On the upside, their overall sound quality is good enough for most and they come with a good parametric EQ.

What it is:
How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

Good for commuting. They're portable and passively isolate from ambient noise better than some noise canceling headphones. However, you have to find the right fit and get a good seal and their charging clip is a bit cumbersome and limiting. If you forget the clip at home, you won't be able to charge the headphones.

What it is:
How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

The Jaybird Freedom are great headphones for sports. They have a lightweight and portable design that's easy to have on you at all times. They're also stable enough to workout with, provided you can achieve a good fit with the extra foam and wingtips. Unfortunately, you can't run with them with the charging clip on the in-line remote as they become quickly unstable.

Above-average for office use. They isolate well and barely leak. This makes them suitable to use in a lively or quiet office environment. However, the in-ear design might not be ideal for really long listening sessions.

Below-average for home theater. They have more latency than the Jaybird X2 but perform slightly better than the X3. Unfortunately, this latency makes them less suitable for watching movies and their in-ear design won't be as comfortable for everyone, especially for watching long videos.

Below-average for gaming. The Jaybird Freedom have a mediocre microphone, and a bit too much latency to be suitable for gaming. They're also not the most comfortable headphones to wear for long gaming sessions, and their battery life is relatively short.